The following season, he got off to a great start and made a big hit with the fans because of his aggressive play-Joe Pelletier

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He was a fine stickhandler, aggressive but clean in his play and perhaps the best skater of his day.-Joe Pelletier

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In 1942-43, he completed his first full season as a Leaf and outdid rookie Rocket Richard to take the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie of that year-LOH

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...he led the NHL with 37 goals in the 50 game schedule. That was downright wonderful goal total when you consider only Max Bentley was the other 30 goal man in the NHL that season with 31. He made the first all-star team this year.-Joe Pelletier

Biography
Gaye Stewart had an outstanding amateur career before coming to the NHL, with some great seasons in the TBJHL and OHA. He would make his debut in 1942 in some very unique circumstancesl he'd play his first NHL game in the stanley cup final.

In the fourth game, Stewart replaced someone and did so well that he remained in the lineup as Toronto came back to win the cup, making Stewart a stanley cup champion after only 3 games in the NHL.

In 1943 Stewart would have a superb rookie year, winning the Calder trophy and scoring 24 goals in 48 games. But his great season would come to an end in the playoffs, as he hurt his knee and did not play in the final two games when the Leafs were eliminated.

After a two-year stint with the Army in World War II, Stewart would return in 1945-46 and light up the league, as hed led the league in goals ande made the first all-star team. The next season, he would perform admirably and help the Leafs become stanley cup champions.

The next season he would be traded to Chicago, who were unfortunately cellar-dewllers at the time. Sterwart would continue to perform however, notching 27 goals and making the second all-star team.

He would score 24 goals in 1949-50, before being traded to the Red Wings. He would not last long there, being traded the Rangers as the Wings already had plenty of scoring from the production line.

He would become more of a playmaker in New York, putting up some respectable numbers. He would do little else after that one productive season in New York, before retiring in 1954-55.

Fun Fact

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Interestingly, Gaye Stewart had twice won the Stanley Cup, on both occasions, his name was engraved incorrectly. In 1941-42, the spelling read 'GAYE STEWARD.' In 1946-47, it was 'GAVE STEWART.'